While the season is all but lost, this team needs to show it can learn from this year's mistakes. Plus, the Mets open up their series in Atlanta with a loss...
Every game Vientos and Baty grab an at bat, is a missed opportunity to give the young players an opportunity to learn how to play better. Diehard fans are interested in seeing the young players play and hit their highs and lows, but we have moved on from watching Baty and Vientos. Rather than look for a return for trading them, think of addition by subtraction and what the young playera can entertain in 2026 and help us to the playoffs in 2027.
I know you guys have to write about something, but let’s be serious, nothing in this season matters. It’s a complete train wreck, and the offense sucks because it was constructed poorly to begin with and then everyone got hurt. See you all in 2027.
I think one major issue that isn't discussed enough is the complete lack of situational hitting. Watch the better offensive teams around baseball and you'll see hitters constantly improvising. They'll use a half-swing, a one-handed swing, or simply flick the bat to dump a pitch into no-man's land for a single. Not every swing is designed to hit a 430-foot home run.
You almost never see that with the Mets. They take full, violent swings at everything, especially with two strikes, and it makes them incredibly easy to pitch to. Mark Vientos is the perfect example. Pitchers keep feeding him breaking balls out of the zone, and instead of shortening up and trying to punch the ball into the outfield, he keeps taking all-or-nothing hacks and walks back to the dugout.
They also give away too many strikes. Carson Benge, for example, too often takes the first pitch, immediately putting himself behind in the count. Once so many of these hitters get to two strikes, they're basically dead meat.
Why isn't this being taught? Situational hitting used to be a fundamental part of baseball. Great hitters knew when to slow the game down, shorten their swing, go the other way, or simply find a hole. That's how players like Ty Cobb piled up hits.
The same goes for bunting. With so many teams positioning their infielders deep, why don't the Mets practice dropping down bunts to force the defense to respect it? Even if you only do it occasionally, it changes how opponents play you.
Modern hitting instruction seems obsessed with launch angle and exit velocity. The Mets need coaches who teach hitters how to manufacture runs, not just swing for the fences. Until they rediscover the value of small ball and situational hitting, I don't see this offense becoming consistently productive.
Rehashing the non-friendship of Soto and Lindor is as interesting as reading the pundits of a couple of years ago trying to get McNeil and LIndor to admit that they had a fight and to provide juicy (?) details. As I recall it took them (the pundits) about a year and a half before they gave up on that little crusade.
Baseball season over way before July 4th...its just so sad. In 2024, they were never out of a game. Always felt there was a comeback possible because they were so very competitive at the plate and believed in each other and had the chemistry that teams strive for. But Sterns didn't read the room and just cared about numbers on paper. Even though we didn't win the National League or go to the WS, you felt so much pride that our team fought every day and cared so much. Sterns is not a Baseball guy, just a numbers guy. You need both. Not sure he is capable to change. At least he is on a shorter leash according to Cohen. Cohen does care and is embarrassed. Hopefully, something good can come from this mess. Let's hire the right manager ( proven winner) and let him do his job, no Sterns dictating all the moves. Let the manager have input to the roster. Get some ballplayers who are leaders and motivate the team daily. THEY HUSTLE ALL THE TIME. I can go on and on...I will stop now.
Generous of you to not note who started that Cubs game.
Yes, bad teams have "something to play for." Some teams have bad seasons. They should not simply give up halfway through. It is hard to think anything matters sometimes.
I agree that it would be useful to cut bait regarding multiple players. That includes Senga, whose job now is to pitch relief, show some talent, but give up a run or two, at least, helping to ice the game for the other side since the Mets keep on not scoring with men in scoring position.
Once again, I ask who is going to start for this team next year if they offload Holmes and Perralta? We've got McLean and Scott and...and...? Myers? Thornton? Manea? Tong and Wenninger haven't inspired confidence lately.
I don’t know about offloading Holmes. He’s coming off an injury. I’m unsure what he would get. Thorton seems promising. The second half can provide a chance to check out some other options. Along with McLean and Scott, should have four starters. Pick someone up in the offseason. Maybe get a reclamation project in a trade.
Every game Vientos and Baty grab an at bat, is a missed opportunity to give the young players an opportunity to learn how to play better. Diehard fans are interested in seeing the young players play and hit their highs and lows, but we have moved on from watching Baty and Vientos. Rather than look for a return for trading them, think of addition by subtraction and what the young playera can entertain in 2026 and help us to the playoffs in 2027.
I know you guys have to write about something, but let’s be serious, nothing in this season matters. It’s a complete train wreck, and the offense sucks because it was constructed poorly to begin with and then everyone got hurt. See you all in 2027.
Overstatements in abundance.
I think one major issue that isn't discussed enough is the complete lack of situational hitting. Watch the better offensive teams around baseball and you'll see hitters constantly improvising. They'll use a half-swing, a one-handed swing, or simply flick the bat to dump a pitch into no-man's land for a single. Not every swing is designed to hit a 430-foot home run.
You almost never see that with the Mets. They take full, violent swings at everything, especially with two strikes, and it makes them incredibly easy to pitch to. Mark Vientos is the perfect example. Pitchers keep feeding him breaking balls out of the zone, and instead of shortening up and trying to punch the ball into the outfield, he keeps taking all-or-nothing hacks and walks back to the dugout.
They also give away too many strikes. Carson Benge, for example, too often takes the first pitch, immediately putting himself behind in the count. Once so many of these hitters get to two strikes, they're basically dead meat.
Why isn't this being taught? Situational hitting used to be a fundamental part of baseball. Great hitters knew when to slow the game down, shorten their swing, go the other way, or simply find a hole. That's how players like Ty Cobb piled up hits.
The same goes for bunting. With so many teams positioning their infielders deep, why don't the Mets practice dropping down bunts to force the defense to respect it? Even if you only do it occasionally, it changes how opponents play you.
Modern hitting instruction seems obsessed with launch angle and exit velocity. The Mets need coaches who teach hitters how to manufacture runs, not just swing for the fences. Until they rediscover the value of small ball and situational hitting, I don't see this offense becoming consistently productive.
Rehashing the non-friendship of Soto and Lindor is as interesting as reading the pundits of a couple of years ago trying to get McNeil and LIndor to admit that they had a fight and to provide juicy (?) details. As I recall it took them (the pundits) about a year and a half before they gave up on that little crusade.
Baseball season over way before July 4th...its just so sad. In 2024, they were never out of a game. Always felt there was a comeback possible because they were so very competitive at the plate and believed in each other and had the chemistry that teams strive for. But Sterns didn't read the room and just cared about numbers on paper. Even though we didn't win the National League or go to the WS, you felt so much pride that our team fought every day and cared so much. Sterns is not a Baseball guy, just a numbers guy. You need both. Not sure he is capable to change. At least he is on a shorter leash according to Cohen. Cohen does care and is embarrassed. Hopefully, something good can come from this mess. Let's hire the right manager ( proven winner) and let him do his job, no Sterns dictating all the moves. Let the manager have input to the roster. Get some ballplayers who are leaders and motivate the team daily. THEY HUSTLE ALL THE TIME. I can go on and on...I will stop now.
Well, Soto is part of the core of the team and as good as he is, hustling is not on his menu.
Generous of you to not note who started that Cubs game.
Yes, bad teams have "something to play for." Some teams have bad seasons. They should not simply give up halfway through. It is hard to think anything matters sometimes.
I agree that it would be useful to cut bait regarding multiple players. That includes Senga, whose job now is to pitch relief, show some talent, but give up a run or two, at least, helping to ice the game for the other side since the Mets keep on not scoring with men in scoring position.
Once again, I ask who is going to start for this team next year if they offload Holmes and Perralta? We've got McLean and Scott and...and...? Myers? Thornton? Manea? Tong and Wenninger haven't inspired confidence lately.
I don’t know about offloading Holmes. He’s coming off an injury. I’m unsure what he would get. Thorton seems promising. The second half can provide a chance to check out some other options. Along with McLean and Scott, should have four starters. Pick someone up in the offseason. Maybe get a reclamation project in a trade.